Posted on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 by Peter Knego
NORWEGIAN EPIC departs Rotterdam on June 21, 2010. Photo and copyright Hans Hoffman 2010.
June 23: NORWEGIAN EPIC departed Rotterdam on June 21, escorted by the tug RT MAGIC, arriving in yesterday at 2:30 PM, three hours earlier than expected. The arrival time was altered by 7.5 hours to 5:30 PM after it was revealed that a problem with the ship’s propeller shaft would cause the newbuild to proceed across the Channel at half speed. MaritimeMatters has been assured by a PR representative on board the ship that there will be no further delays or changes to the ship’s scheduled transatlantic crossing and subsequent inaugural program festivities in the U.S., despite varying feedback from the ship that contradicted that information.
Southampton-based cruise blogger, Patsy Dempsey of Liner Lovers boarded in Rotterdam for the one night voyage and relayed several reports to the MaritimeMatters Facebook page.
Regarding the changes in the ship’s U.K.-based inaugural schedule (EPIC was scheduled to depart last night on a two night cruise, return Thursday and then head to New York on a seven night crossing): “More mystery. She is now due to sail at 1pm tomorrow, Wednesday, with no return date OR (information available regarding the) sailing on the 24th. She has also been removed from the cruise schedule.” Click here for a link to the Southampton Shipping Movements Site referenced by Patsy. UPDATED: The EPIC did, indeed depart today and spent time off the Isle of Wight. She will return to Southampton in the morning and then will depart on the 24th for New York. The Shipping Movements have since been updated and now show the EPIC departing again on the 24th.
Her comments about the cabins: “Things don’t work or are confusing. Hate this sink in the room. Everything gets wet. The sockets are hidden under the counter, some behind a door. You need to use the card by the door to turn the lights on. No one tells you this. Plenty of storage but the rooms are narrower than usual.”
Dining/Entertainment: “Dinner was good in the Manhattan Room with those impersonators, though the Tina Turner sounded nothing like her. The waiters sing along and dance.”
Layout/Decor: “Ship looks fab from what I’ve seen…Ice Bar was locked but I love so much of the interior — must be Apollo’s influence. Prom deck’s worse than (CELEBRITY) SOLSTICE class — total disconnection with the sea. La Cucina has a great view overlooking the bow.”
To see what the EPIC looks like on board, we recommend this excellent suite of photos by Raoul Fiebig of Das Ruderhaus, taken during the two night preview cruise for the European (and a few select American) media.
With special thanks to Patsy Dempsey and Hans Hoffman.
Mark Taxis
June 22, 2010 at 3:26 pm
The ugliest ship I have seen for quite some time, reminds me of the France after they added the decks above the wheelhouse, but in this case it is 100% worse to look at
CubanToro
June 23, 2010 at 5:31 am
Mark… I’d say it’s more like 1,000% worse. And as far as the description of the problems with the cabins… who REALLY designed this computerized, Pontiac Aztek of the Seas?
Justin Taylor
June 23, 2010 at 6:45 am
Who designed the interiors of the Epic? I’d never set one foot on that ship let alone go on a cruise. Why are the showers open to the entrance? Why are the sinks in the sleeping area? Who came up with those disgraceful ‘studio’ rooms? I have never seen anything so small since the ‘tourist class’ on the old Queen Mary. I thought that the days of sleeping in a cabin that’s smaller than most bathrooms on shore were over. And don’t get me started on the exterior. The top two decks look like they were added at the last minute. So much potential with all the money spent on ‘that’ when they could have done better.
Peter Knego
June 23, 2010 at 11:34 am
I’m going to hold back a bit until I get on board and see all this for myself but I was at the keel laying a few years back and thought the cabin mock-ups were interesting and innovative. Not sure if I like the sink en suite but I do appreciate that NCL were trying to do something new. The studio cabin concept is also new and for single cruisers, probably a great option. The decor seems a bit mixed with high and low points (many thanks to Raoul for taking the best views I have seen thus far). As for the exterior, to me it is, at least interesting. The proportions are the same as almost all the ships in this size category. It is pretty bold how the architects didn’t try to smooth over the edges and make it look like, say, the MSC FANTASIA (which is pretty good looking for something that size) but still suffers from the flat box, too-high syndrome. Not sure I hate the exterior as much as most of you because it is so unique and unapologetic. L’ATLANTIQUE for the modern era.
Jim H
June 23, 2010 at 5:05 pm
Ok, so looking at the interior photos my opinion softens a little. Some of the interiors are pretty sophisticated and original. If only she didn’t have that “high forehead” on the exterior…
And the quality of the interior photos are top notch, by the way.
David
June 23, 2010 at 6:00 pm
I my personal opinion they add extra decks for space and forget about safety………………….ONE SEA MONSTER 2 GO !
David
June 23, 2010 at 6:02 pm
Also……………………………..The lifeboats and tenders seem to be totally OUTBOARD. Not such a good idea in a heavy sea. They may even loose some or sustain damage in a REALLY BAD STORM.
Erik R
June 23, 2010 at 6:24 pm
At least the France/Norway retained most of her original lines with the cabins added on top. This thing is just wrong from an aesthetic point of view.
Phil
June 23, 2010 at 8:01 pm
I must say the interior pic’s look are quite good, check out the link above. But just like everyone else hate the exterior.
Patrick Le Bihan
June 23, 2010 at 8:52 pm
On the AIS traffic site the ship spend 11 hours at sea in the vicinity if Isle of Wight,at a speed of 10 knots except 2 times recorded at 17 Knots ? But no run at 22 Knots like between St Nazaire and R Dam ??? Wait and See for the transatlantic course.
Patricia
June 24, 2010 at 3:15 am
She really is wonderful inside (you get used to the outside but there should be more deck space and a better Prom deck – this is worse than Solstice class) and dinner in the Manhattan Room lifted our spirits after the disasterous start. Anyone sailing must dine there at least once to take in the show. The waiters sang, danced and clapped along too. I had breakfast in O’Sheehan’s on Tuesday and it was cooked to perfection. I’ve had similar on RCI and Cunard which has been awful. Also a large glass of orange juice instead of a teeny one.
By the way, Peter, Svitzer Madeleine was attached to our stern from Cowes and Svitzer Sarah escorted but I didn’t see where she joined. This happened with Aurora last year after the world cruise problems right up until her December refit. Tug every arrival and departure for an hour but not always attached. Bentley went with Epic yesterday to Calshot (released at the QEII Terminal when normally it’s Town Quay) and she had Maddie coming in from Cowes this morning.
I read one article saying she arrived late into Rotterdam. on Monday. She was actually slightly early according to my Dutch friend Ben. He’d told me she was due for 8am and she was docked by then.
I’m more angry now with NCL’s attitude than the trip now. Saying everything’s fine and practically denying what we all went through. This is their chance to compete with the big boys but she could end up an expensive lemon which is a shame because should can succeed. Too much broke down or wasn’t even ready. She shouldn’t have left Saint Nazaire. She had speed trials yesterday and only hit 19 knots as she was coming back in. That’s not good considering how long she was at sea, but never strayed too far away from the port. Just 3 hours away from help if needed. Yet the media and TAs onboard were apparently told the prop was repaired. I sincerely hope she DOES make it to New York but I have an awful feeling. It would be a lot easier to send her back to the yard now than in a week or so if things get worse.
David Ingram
June 24, 2010 at 6:17 am
David, the positioning of the lifeboats is, I believe, in line with more recent SOLAS requirements. The idea is that the boats should be positioned at a minimal (reasonable) height from the waterline, and be able to be launched as quickly as possible.
Gravity davits can and do jam, so perhaps the outboard positioning eliminates that part of the equation.
QM2 received an exemption and was allowed to position the lifeboats much higher due to her North Atlantic service.
At least, all this is my understanding of the current regs. You also see a similar specification on Oasis of the Seas.
If I have that wrong, someone please chime in!
Peter Newall
June 25, 2010 at 2:39 am
All I can say about EPIC is that she has a real BUZZ and is the most innovative ship I have been on for years, Once again, NCL has moved out of the box and raised the bar. Bon Voyage EPIC!
Peter
Glenn Paull
June 25, 2010 at 7:20 am
Peter Knego I agree you, her lines are unique and unapologetic, I especially like the way her cabins are not lined up in in straight lines but rather extend out in 3 areas port and starboard, this is where I plan to book. Please advise us after you have had an experience with her interior (I have heard so many unflattering remarks).
Michael Bennett
June 25, 2010 at 10:14 am
thanks for the eagerly-awaited info on EPIC. Without the Frankenstein-monster forehead she wouldn’t be toooo bad-looking (oooops, I forgot the stern…). I also applaud NCL for taking chances with the interiors, but the bathroom situation would be a total turn-off for me. However, I would consider trying a studio cabin for the novelty of it.
It’s rather like a more downmarket, more disorganized version of Celebrity, which I must admit is a favorite. EPIC will either enchant people or alienate them; time will tell!
Patricia
June 25, 2010 at 2:35 pm
Michael, the only organised thing was disembarking. LOL! Personally I really like her interiors. Not keen on the cabin. I’ve had constant side pain for 2 months and that toilet nearly finished me off because it’s so narrow. One thing which surprised me was there’s a short green glass walkway like RCCL have. Can’t remember the deck now. However this had a grip rather than smooth glass. I’m looking forward to reading Peter’s take on it but he MUST check out the wall by Headliners.
Corey
June 26, 2010 at 2:48 am
I do like the single cabins. It’s hard to find people sometimes to go on a cruise.I get sick of paying for two tickets or giving extra ticket to someone. I’d go on the ship just for that
O.T.Ødegård
June 27, 2010 at 3:06 am
This must be the ugliest vessel afloat!
Patrick Le Bihan
July 1, 2010 at 3:25 am
The GREAT DAY is arrive !! Take your pencil and give all your comments !!
Benjamin
August 8, 2011 at 2:00 pm
This is quite possibly ugliest passenger ship afloat.
gerry s
September 30, 2011 at 12:02 pm
OK, some of her interior spaces are nice, but this ship works hard to make you forget you are on a ship in the ocean. It makes you look in, not out. Even when you are outside, it is hard to see the ocean through high tinted/frosted glass. It’s sort of like a new building in a bad neighborhood !!